Tag: Early signing period

Josh Heupel details Jake Merklinger signing with Tennessee

Josh Heupel details quarterback Jake Merklinger signing with Tennessee.

Jake Merklinger signed with Tennessee on Wednesday during the early signing period.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback is from Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia.

“He’s going to have to grow really quickly,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “He’ll get spoon-fed as we start here in January and grow into spring football.

“Smart, competitive and has good fundamentals. We have to refine some of those things. He’s already been working on those things since he set foot on campus. His football IQ, ability to retain information and process out on the football field. He’s a winner, he’s competitive and has the right make-up.”

READ: Tennessee football 2023 early signing period tracker

Ohio State social media reacts to the Jeremiah Smith early signing period drama

What a fun day it was, and social media was there for it all. #GoBucks

Whew. If this is the new normal with name, image and likeness and the high stakes of big-time college football recruiting, I’m not sure some media members are going to last in the business.

By now, you know all of the drama surrounding Ohio State’s crown jewel of the 2024 recruiting class, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the No.1 overall prospect. You know the story by now, but the CliffsNotes version is he was reportedly torn between Ohio State and Miami (Florida), chose the Buckeyes on a national video stream, but then waited hours upon hours to fax (yes, fax) in his national letter of intent.

But, hey, at least it came and cemented his commitment that had been out there for a year, so that the coaches and Buckeye Nation can breathe one heck of a collective, deep sigh.

As with any story with viral momentum, social media was all over it and we were there for it. In fact, we’ve pulled out some of the best posts on X, formerly Twitter, to share with you.

Here are some of the most noteworthy and best social media posts surrounding the day in the life of recruiting — and ultimately signing — Smith.

Josh Heupel discusses ‘big day for Tennessee football’ during early signing period

Josh Heupel discusses “big day for Tennessee football” during the early signing period.

The 2023 early signing period is taking place Wednesday-Friday for the 2024 recruiting signing class.

27 high school and NCAA transfer portal prospects are part of Tennessee’s national signing class roster.

“A big day for Tennessee football and the future of where we’re going, welcoming the class of ’24, and a great day,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “A lot of those guys are already here, but I want to thank our coaches and our recruiting staff. There are so many people that go into the work that takes place to sign a class on national signing day. I also want to thank all the high school coaches that have been so welcoming to all of us as we’ve traveled around our footprint and across the country, the coaches have been awesome. Lastly, I want to thank the families that have trusted their kids to us and helping them grow into the men and players that they dream about.

“Really excited about this group. 27 guys at this point we’ve signed so far. I think 15 of those kids are mid-year that are with us right now, the high school guys. We have a few transfer portal guys that are already here on campus, as well. Excited about the group. I love the length and athleticism that we’ve added. You look at what we’ve signed, obviously, a point of emphasis was the line of scrimmage. We’ll continue to add really good players to our roster in that way, and then athleticism and length at the skill spots, so I feel like it is a really good group. They’re dynamic in the way that they play. I love the competitive makeup of this group. Some guys that have already shown some leadership traits and I’m excited to get to work with them whenever they get to campus.”

READ: Tennessee football early signing period tracker

READ: Early enrollees in Tennessee football’s 2024 signing class

Big Ten football team recruiting rankings after the drama of the early signing period

Where do all the Big Ten teams stack up after the first day of the early signing period? Which programs surprised you? #B1G

Well, that was fun — depending on what your definition of fun is. The first day of the early signing period came and went on Wednesday, and there was more drama than a daytime soap opera throughout this great nation of ours. And, yeah, Ohio State was right in the thick of it as always.

If it wasn’t clear already, name, image and likeness, as well as the dynamic of the transfer portal has changed how hard it is to attract — and more importantly — hold onto, big-time college prospects in college football.

We saw that on Wednesday, and it’s not going to get any less dramatic in the future. We saw plenty of flips, rumors, delays, and other shenanigans that made us all think about traffic congestion during big city rush hour, and it may not be over.

Once all the dust settled and the smoke cleared from when the circus met  bull fighting on Wednesday, we gained a look at where every team landed in the Big Ten. Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Michigan had good, and in some cases, great days, but how did the entire league stack up when compared to each other?

Here’s a look at where all the Big Ten teams stack up according to the 247Sports team composite after the first day of the early signing period. Remember, there’s still a couple of days left for things to change, and then there’s still the traditional signing day in February. However, the rankings are more-or-less where they will be with some modest changes coming later.

So, who won the day in recruiting in the Big Ten on Wednesday?

Jeremiah Smith officially sends in national letter of intent to join 2024 recruiting class

Finally in the fold. #GoBucks

After roughly a 24-hour period of several twists and turns, many of which we may never know, the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 cycle, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, has finally sent in his national letter of intent and is officially a part of this year’s Ohio State football recruiting class.

Smith had been committed to OSU ever since last December and appeared to be a lock to join the class. Even leading up to the early signing period, he was saying all of the right things despite going on several other recruiting visits to other schools, basically just enjoying the experience.

As things got closer to Wednesday however, rumors began to circulate that Smith was beginning to waffle and begin to look at Florida State and Miami (FL) very hard. In fact, even up until his announcement of recommitting to the Buckeyes, he himself said he had an Ohio State and Miami hat in the bag and decided on OSU one final time with just two minutes to spare.

After that announcement, all of Buckeye Nation rejoiced with a class that was more than salvaged after Ohio State held on to two No. 5 prospects despite the wolves encircling the efforts.

But that’s when all the drama started.

The OSU creative team released graphics throughout the day as the football program received each commits national letter of intent, but we never saw one for Smith. 1 p.m ET turned into 3 p.m., and then 5 p.m. and late into the evening. More smoke began to bellow out that Smith was again considering staying home in South Florida and flipping his commitment to Miami to play with some of his teammates that also committed there.

And so we waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Until now. What could be a generational talent at the wide receiver position found a fax machine, warmed it up, and sent it to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

And we all rejoiced.

Now, as Smith’s tweet stated just after he recommitted on national streaming video, “let’s get to work.” That should begin on January 7 when Smith arrives on campus.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Ohio State football 2024 recruiting class superlatives

What is your top Buckeye recruits? Underrated or instant impact? #GoBucks

Now that Ohio State football’s 2024 recruiting class members have signed (at least most of them), we can dream of what they will be when they suit up for the Scarlet and Gray and run out of the tunnel on the banks of the Olentangy.

It’s literally Christmas before Christmas in college football circles. Ryan Day has managed to once again recruit a group that is among the best in the country and inside the Big Ten.

I always like to make predictions as to how some of the signees careers will go. Here is my best guesses as who will be instant impact players, who was underrated by recruiting services and who could bring home some hardware during their tenure in Columbus.

Four-star defensive lineman TJ Lindsey signs with Auburn

TJ Lindsey is officially an Auburn Tiger.

Auburn has signed [autotag]TJ Lindsey[/autotag], adding to quite a haul along the defensive line.

From Little Rock, Arkansas, Lindsey spent his final season at IMG Academy in Florida and committed to the Tigers back in August over Texas. He is the fifth signee along the defensive line joining Malik Blocton, Amaris Williams, Jamonta Waller and transfer Gage Keys.

Lindsey is the No. 308 overall player and No. 37 defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite ranking. He is also the No. 40 player from Florida.

Like several of Auburn’s signees, he has the ability to play multiple positions in [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag]’ defense. At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, he has the athleticism to play defensive end but if adds some weight and strength he can also move to the interior of the line when needed.

Stay up-to-date with the latest signing day news by checking out Auburn Wire’s early signing period tracker.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day discusses 2024 recruiting class

Listen to what Ohio State head coach Ryan Day had to say about this year’s 2024 recruiting class that signed Wednesday. #GoBucks

By now, you know that today is the first day of the early signing period. As it stands, Ohio State has received almost all of the national letters of intent it is expecting to receive after a flip or two, and waiting on one or two.

At the end of the day, it’s another stellar class that looks like it’ll be in the top five and likely the best in the Big Ten. Though the number of recruits aren’t equal with some other programs, the high-end talent is definitely on board with five five-star prospects, more than any other team.

Even though OSU head coach Ryan Day has lost three straight games to Michigan, he continues to bring in exceptional recruiting classes which means the Buckeyes will most likely have staying power to be in the conversation for championships, both within the league, and nationally.

Day met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the class and field questions at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and had plenty to say. If you missed any of it, we have the press conference in its entirety thanks to the Columbus Dispatch YouTube channel (subscription may be required).

During his time in front of the firing squad, Day went through each individual commitment that had been made official at the time of the press conference, discussed the difficulties of recruiting during this age, went through timelines of certain recruits and a lot more.

We’ll have more reaction and analysis on this signing class as we move forward so check back often.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Georgia Bulldogs add athletic 4-star CB Ondre Evans

Georgia Bulldogs add athletic 4-star CB Ondre Evans

The Georgia Bulldogs have signed cornerback Ondre Evans to their No. 1 recruiting class. Evans, the top-ranked cornerback in Tennessee, is a four-star recruit that adds to an elite secondary class in Athens.

Evans is the 8th-ranked cornerback in the nation and the 99th ranked overall player. He played his high school ball at CPA and he’s a lean, athletic corner that stands 6-feet tall and 183 pounds. The Nashville product was originally committed to LSU, but flipped to Georgia in October.

Evans is an opportunistic cornerback that can jump routes because of his quick burst. Throughout his high school career, he’s played more zone, but can get work in man coverage. He played both sides of the ball in high school, as well, but will likely stay at cornerback for the Bulldogs. He was also a short distance runner in track and field.

The Bulldogs had a relatively young cornerback room in 2023. Evans along with other five-star cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, those two could have an opportunity to play in 2024 if they impress.

Early enrollees in Tennessee football’s 2024 signing class

A look at every early enrollee in Tennessee’s 2024 signing class.

The 2023 early signing period is taking place Wednesday-Friday for the 2024 recruiting signing class.

27 high school and NCAA transfer portal prospects are part of Tennessee’s national signing class roster.

“Big day for Tennessee football and the future in where we are going,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said on Wednesday.

Wide receiver Mike Matthews signed with the Vols on Wednesday during the early signing period. He is listed as Tennessee’s highest-rated signee by 247Sports in the Vols’ 2024 recruiting class.

READ: Tennessee football early signing period tracker

READ: Tennessee football NCAA transfer portal tracker

Below are early enrollees on Tennessee’s 2024 national signing class roster.